Spend the most unorthodox New Year Eve in Pyongyang: meet 2019 New Year with locals in the main square of the DPRK and enjoy the special gala dinner with champagne in Pyongyang’s heart! Count down the New Year and witness New Year fireworks! Visit major highlights of North Korean capital and experience Pyongyang on a leisure drive during a unique Tram ride around the city in the classic tram made in socialist Czech republic. There will be a lot of great photo opportunities! Witness mysterious Mt.Myohyang covered with snow, and unique winter Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) - the strip of land where South and North Korea have been standing off against each other for more than half a century. If you love skiing you can stay in the DPRK a bit longer and try skiing in Masik Pass Ski Resort. On this tour you will have an optional opportunity to take the PYONGYANG AIR CITY TOUR - a 40 minute trip in the skies aboard an Air Koryo Mi-17 helicopter. You will have an unrivalled bird's-eye view of Pyongyang from the sky and a lot of great photo opportunities. If you would like to add this option to your itinerary please inform us when you book your tour.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

Pyongyang - enjoy New Year festivities and fireworks in the capital of the DPRK!

Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) - inspect one of the most heavily militarized places on the planet. This strip of land divides South and North Korea

Kaesong - visit ancient capital of Korea until up to the 15th century. It is the only city in Korea which has preserved its original historical make up as it hasn’t been destroyed during the Korean war

ITINERARY

Info

The tour itinerary is a PRELIMINARY one. Korea Konsult reserves the right to change some parts of the itinerary below if needed. Eventual itinerary changes after the group arrival in the DPRK are beyond our control. Under no circumstances can Korea Konsult be held responsible for any itinerary changes.

Stroll down Mirae (Future) Street - it is opened in 2015 street featuring futuristic looking buildings. Korean government allocated residential buildings at this street to teachers of local universities

Check-in at the Yanggakdo International Hotel **** - one of the best Pyongyang hotels (first class and deluxe suits are also available at extra charge), it is beautifully located in the middle of Taedong river

Kumsusan Palace of Sun - Mausoleum of president Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il. To visit the Mausoleum tourists should follow a strict dress code: no shorts, T-shirts and sandals, no blue jeans and mini-skirts

Moranbong Park - a recreation area where locals have picnics and sing songs during weekends. It is a unique opportunity to socialize with local people

Mansudae Grand Monument - the huge bronze statues of the leaders standing in the center of the composition with two monuments titled "Anti-Japanese Revolutionary Struggle" and "Socialist Construction" on both sides. It was renovated in April 2012 following the passing away of the leader Kim Jong Il and a new statue of Kim Jong Il was added next to Kim Il Sung's

Chollima Monument - named after a mythical winged horse (Chollima in Korean literally means "thousand-mile horse"). In the period of reconstruction following the Korean War Cholima was the symbol inspiring workers to rebuild their nation at ‘Chollima Speed’

Lunch

Juche Tower - at 150m it is the highest stone monument in the world. Take elevator to the top of the tower to enjoy the magnificent view of Pyongyang (optional, 5 Euro p/p)

Monument to Workers' Party of Korea - opened in Juche 84 (1995) the monument depicts the hammer, sickle and brush seized by a worker, a farmer and an intellectual. The round belt means the single-hearted unity of the leader, Party and people

Pyongyang Metro - one of the deepest subways in the world, it was designed to serve as a bomb shelter in case of war. The stations' interiors are stunning with superb lighting and mosaics. This is a great chance to interact with local people and explore several subway stations

Arch of Triumph - built in 1982 to commemorate President Kim Il Sung’s role in resisting Japanese rule, it is the second tallest triumphal arch in the world. Each of its 25,500 blocks of finely-dressed white granite represents a day of his life up to that point

Drive to Mt.Myohyang - the Mountain of Mysterious Fragrance, one of the five celebrated mountains of Korea. It is a sacred site as, according to legend, it was the home of King Tangun, forefather of the Korean people. In 2009 UNESCO designated Mount Myohyang a world biosphere reserve

International Friendship Exhibition - the world's biggest treasure-house. On exhibit are gifts received by DPRK's leaders over the years. One building stores the presents given to President Kim Il Sung, while a smaller one holds those given to Leader Kim Jong Il

Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum - unveiled in 2013 by the leader Kim Jong Un after massive renovation this museum explains the origins of the Korean War (1950-53) between South and North. Here you will see the only US ship captured by a foreign country - the spy ship USS Pueblo, as well as American weapons and shot down planes. The museum features amazing displays and excellent dioramas

Kwangbok Supermarket - located at one of the biggest city's street it is a popular mall where visitors can exchange money into local Won in order to shop

Enjoy New Year's Eve Gala Dinner in Pyongyang's downtown

Celebrate with locals New Year Eve in the Pyongyang’s downtown and at 0.00 hear the bell of Grand People’s Study House at Kim Il Sung Square - Pyongyang’s central square where Korea’s massive military parades normally take place. Opened in August Juche 43 (1954) it is the 30th largest square in the world

It is likely there will be New Year Fireworks which you will watch from Kim Il Sung Square

Munsu Waterpark - the first park of this kind in Pyongyang. It features indoor and outdoor pools, amazing waterslides, saunas, coffee shop, a beer bar, table tennis, billiard, massage and a beauty salon. A great place to chat with local people. Those who would like to swim be ready to pay 10 Euro

Pyongyang Schoolchildren’s Palace - one of 2 major centers of extra curriculum education built for the Korean Communist Youth of Pyongyang. There will be a chance to see a performance prepared by local children

Walk in Ryomyong street - opened in April 2017 it is a new posh district of the capital featuring modern architecture

Ryomyong Cinema Theater - a newly opened modern cinema where you can watch freshly produced Korean drama

Dinner

Golden Lane Bowling Center - the huge entertainment center, a good chance to mix with locals and watch some stellar displays of local bowling talent and relax after long sightseeing day. There is also a shooting range next door

Drive to Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) - a strip of land running across the Korean Peninsula that serves as a buffer zone between North and South Korea, it is one of the most militarized area on our planet

Panmunjom - a village where in 1953 Armistice Talks were held between the DPR Korea and the United Nation Command. Visit the blue tent-like building located exactly on the borderline between Koreas. You can walk around the conference room and hop from South to North Korea while you are in this building. This is one of the few places where you can take pictures of the DPRK military

Move to Kaesong - capital of Korea up to the 15th century. Kaesong is the only city in Korea which has preserved its original historical make up as it hasn't been destroyed during the Korean war. It is a home for 12 historic sites from the UNESCO World Heritage List. Kaesong is considered to be home of Koryo insam (ginseng) and so be prepared to buy some of the best insam in the Far East

Janamsan Park - located on a hill overlooking the city it is a great place to enjoy the beautiful panorama of the old Kaesong

Enjoy lunch at Tongil restaurant - "Tongil" means "Reunification" in Korean, it is one of the most famous restaurants in Kaesong where you will enjoy Traditional Royal Korean Lunch with 12 side-dishes served in brass bowls fit for the kings. For anyone wanting to supplement their lunch, there will be an opportunity to sample Korea’s famous ginseng chicken soup (at extra charge)

Sonjuk Bridge - a small stone bridge dating back to 1216, UNESCO World Heritage Site

Sungkyunkwan University - the oldest Confucian University established in 10th century. Since 1987 here is Kaesong Koryo Museum (UNESCO) exhibiting one of the largest wooden buildings to still exist in the DPRK. The stamp shop here is excellent place to buy some souvenirs

Monument to the Three Charters for National Reunification - the monument representing desire of Korean people for reunification. It is shaped in form of two Korean women holding Korean peninsula over the Thongil highway from Pyongyang to DMZ

Enjoy farewell dinner in famous BBQ Duck Restaurant

Continue evening in Pyongyang microbrewery and bar - try several types of locally brewed beer and wide variety of international cuisine (at your own expense)

After breakfast in the hotel transfer to the airport and depart by Air Koryo flight JS 251Y Pyongyang-Beijing at 10.00 in the morning from Pyongyang Airport. Arrive in Beijing at 11.30 in the morning (local time)